Jimmy Kimmel returned and how! The host of the late-night show returned to ABC after a week-long suspension to a rousing welcome, resulting in the show’s highest ratings in a decade.
According to Disney-owned ABC, nearly 6.3 million people tuned in to the broadcast on television, compared to the regular 1.4 to 1.8 million viewers. This is besides the viewership from streaming services, which goes to around 15 million people. ABC says more than 26 million people watched Kimmel's return on social media, including YouTube.
This is despite many ABC stations in Washington, Seattle, Nashville, and St. Louis deciding not to air the show after Nexstar and Sinclair corporations refused to bring Kimmel back.
The show was yanked off the air for nearly a week after Kimmel commented about activist Charlie Kirk’s suspected killer. Kimmel said “MAGA gang” was “desperately trying” to characterise the suspect “as anything other than one of them.” Kimmel also accused the Trump supporters of attempting to score political points from the assassination.
On his emotional comeback, Kimmel addressed the controversy, stating it was not his “intention to make light of the murder of a young man.” Taking a dig at Trump, Kimmel said, “Our leader celebrates people losing their livelihoods because he can't take a joke." He choked back tears to add, “This show is not important. What’s important is that we live in a country that allows us to have a show like this.”
Meanwhile, there are reports that Disney is steeling itself for potential retaliation from Trump after it decided to bring back "Jimmy Kimmel Live!". Trump-aligned FCC chairman Brendan Carr called it “the sickest conduct possible” and suggested that the FCC could move to revoke ABC affiliate licenses.
Trump also hinted that he could take legal action against ABC over the decision to air Kimmel. Disney had anticipated that the administration could go after the broadcast TV licenses it has, though it believes it has a strong legal footing to fight back, according to Bloomberg.